Jude Bellingham breaks silence on being dropped by Thomas Tuchel

JUDE BELLINGHAM claims he is finally getting back to his best after a disappointing year which saw him “dropped” by England.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who underwent shoulder surgery in the summer, struck Wednesday’s winner in the 1-0 Champions League win over Juventus.

Bellingham, 22, struggled to find his best form in Spain last term after his stunning first season at Real.

He then missed England’s games in September because he was recovering from the op and having returned to action for Real, was still left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this month’s internationals against Wales and Latvia.

The former Dortmund star said: “I have had shoulder surgery, dropped from the national team.

“I think that in the last few games in particular, when I have either come off the bench or started, I have felt that I have really started to come into my rhythm.

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“When you know you have more games coming up, it keeps you excited. I feel like a kid again, as opposed to being in the gym with one arm.”

While Bellingham looks certain to be picked by new boss Xabi Alonso in the El Clasico on Saturday against Barcelona, the big question is whether he features in Tuchel’s England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

Although it is not certain that Bellingham returns, as England have done well in their four games without the Brummie, it would still be a huge gamble by the German coach not to pick one of his best players.

Bellingham’s winner was his first goal since he scored for Real at the Club World Cup in June.

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He added: “It was a long time  since I scored as I had a long time out and I was dreaming of this moment.”

But talking about his difficulties last term, which saw Real fail to win La Liga, he added: “I don’t know what changed. If I take time to think about it I would come up with things about where I played and about my own performances.

“Last year was not a disaster by any means. I scored 15 goals, 14 assists and a lot of good moments but the general feeling was that it was worse.

“There were still good moments but not the level I want to play at. Not the level of the first year. I have had my shoulder surgery, had a new manager.”